Read: Jer. 1-3
Jeremiah gives us the account of his calling. He was ordained a prophet from the womb and given the hard job of prophesying to a rebellious people. God told him not to be afraid of their faces because what he would give him to say would not be well received. He was set over the nations and over kingdoms to root out, pull down, destroy, throw down, build and plant.
In today’s reading he is sent to Judah when Josiah was king. He reminded them of how He had brought then into the land and made them a nation and they forsook the Lord and chose to follow after the gods of the land. They lost the fear of the Lord. Sound familiar? One of the things he rebuked them for was not correcting their children. They also killed their own prophets. No wonder God told Jeremiah not to be afraid.
He reminded them of how Israel had turned from serving him and now they were following in their footsteps. He told them to acknowledge their sin, turn from them and he would bring them to Zion. He promised to give them pastors who he would send who would teach them and cause them to understand his ways. They would call God their father and not turn away.
Lord, we pray Jeremiah’s prayer: “We lie down in our shame, and our confusion covers us; for we have sinned against You, we and our fathers, from our youth even unto this day,and have not obeyed the voice of the Lord our God.” Please hear our prayers and heal our land.
Friday, August 7, 2015
Thursday, August 6, 2015
Thurs.’s Devo - The Fate of Jerusalem
Read: 2 Kings 24-25; 2 Chron. 36
God never forgets. Manasseh, Hezekiah’s son, had done more evil during his reign than the heathens did and God was ready to punish the nation because of it. They were being judged for all the innocent blood they shed. In light of what has been revealed about Planned Parenthood, we ought to be shaking in our boots. Our nation has shed more innocent blood through abortion than during any of our wars. Now we are selling body parts like shoes. God forgive our nation!
Jehoiachin which means “God will establish” was taken to Babylon. Nebuchadnezzar took all the treasures in the house of the Lord. He also took the best men of the land and left the poor and sickly. He put Zedikiah over Jerusalem. Zedikiah was evil and eventually rebelled against Nebuchadnezzar. Nebuchadnezzar came in person and besieged Jerusalem for over two years. Zedikiah was captured trying to escape the city. He had to watch his two sons killed before they blinded him. They bound him and took him to Babylon. The next month they burned Jerusalem with fire. What a picture of the end of time. The survivors were taken to Jerusalem.
After some time blind Jehoiachin was let out of prison and given back his kingdom. He served the king of Babylon which he took care of Jehoiachin. What a strange turn of events!
Lord, our times are in your hands but I know that you honor repentance and humility. May our nation turn to you with humility and repentance. Forgive us of our sins and show us how to please you.
God never forgets. Manasseh, Hezekiah’s son, had done more evil during his reign than the heathens did and God was ready to punish the nation because of it. They were being judged for all the innocent blood they shed. In light of what has been revealed about Planned Parenthood, we ought to be shaking in our boots. Our nation has shed more innocent blood through abortion than during any of our wars. Now we are selling body parts like shoes. God forgive our nation!
Jehoiachin which means “God will establish” was taken to Babylon. Nebuchadnezzar took all the treasures in the house of the Lord. He also took the best men of the land and left the poor and sickly. He put Zedikiah over Jerusalem. Zedikiah was evil and eventually rebelled against Nebuchadnezzar. Nebuchadnezzar came in person and besieged Jerusalem for over two years. Zedikiah was captured trying to escape the city. He had to watch his two sons killed before they blinded him. They bound him and took him to Babylon. The next month they burned Jerusalem with fire. What a picture of the end of time. The survivors were taken to Jerusalem.
After some time blind Jehoiachin was let out of prison and given back his kingdom. He served the king of Babylon which he took care of Jehoiachin. What a strange turn of events!
Lord, our times are in your hands but I know that you honor repentance and humility. May our nation turn to you with humility and repentance. Forgive us of our sins and show us how to please you.
Wednesday, August 5, 2015
Wed.’s Devo - God’s Words Never Fail
Read: 2 Kings 22-23, 2 Chon. 34-35
Finally we have a good king. Josiah was only eight when he came to the throne and is the only king that the Bible says he walked in all the way of David his father. He was given a copy of the law and when he read it, he realized the sin his nation was operating under. He did a massive sweep to get rid of the abomination in the land and a massive rebuilding of the things of the Lord. He restored the temple, reinstated the Passover feast, gave the priest honor and respect and allowed them to do their calling. God saw his repentance and promised that Josiah wouldn’t see the destruction of Judah during his day.
Josiah made a covenant with God before all the people to follow Him. All the people entered into that covenant which they later broke. As Josiah was tearing down the high places where the people worshipped their foreign gods he came upon some sepultures. They began digging the bones up and burning them when one of them caught his attention. He asked whose it was and it was the very prophet that had said, “Behold, a child, Josiah by name, shall be born to the house of David; and on you he shall sacrifice the priests of the high places who burn incense on you and men’s bones shall be burned on you.” 1 Kings 13:2. He was speaking of the altar that God split to show that what this prophet said would happen and it did. This nameless prophet had prophesied this 300 years before. Josiah let his bones stay.
No king before Josiah had ever turned to the Lord with all his heart like Josiah did. Too bad he didn’t train his sons to follow the Lord, or too bad they didn’t listen.
Lord, you have called our names before the foundation of the earth and put your destiny in us. Help us to walk out that destiny and not miss one assignment.
Finally we have a good king. Josiah was only eight when he came to the throne and is the only king that the Bible says he walked in all the way of David his father. He was given a copy of the law and when he read it, he realized the sin his nation was operating under. He did a massive sweep to get rid of the abomination in the land and a massive rebuilding of the things of the Lord. He restored the temple, reinstated the Passover feast, gave the priest honor and respect and allowed them to do their calling. God saw his repentance and promised that Josiah wouldn’t see the destruction of Judah during his day.
Josiah made a covenant with God before all the people to follow Him. All the people entered into that covenant which they later broke. As Josiah was tearing down the high places where the people worshipped their foreign gods he came upon some sepultures. They began digging the bones up and burning them when one of them caught his attention. He asked whose it was and it was the very prophet that had said, “Behold, a child, Josiah by name, shall be born to the house of David; and on you he shall sacrifice the priests of the high places who burn incense on you and men’s bones shall be burned on you.” 1 Kings 13:2. He was speaking of the altar that God split to show that what this prophet said would happen and it did. This nameless prophet had prophesied this 300 years before. Josiah let his bones stay.
No king before Josiah had ever turned to the Lord with all his heart like Josiah did. Too bad he didn’t train his sons to follow the Lord, or too bad they didn’t listen.
Lord, you have called our names before the foundation of the earth and put your destiny in us. Help us to walk out that destiny and not miss one assignment.
Tuesday, August 4, 2015
Tues.’s Devo - The Fall of Ninveh
Read: Nahum 1-3
Nahum means “comforter” so he is a type of the Holy Spirit. He prophesies the fate of Nineveh which is Assyria’s capital. It was known for its years of conquests of other nations and for its cruel torture of its captors. It had conquered Israel and would have conquered Judah if God hadn’t miraculously saved them. The Assyrian Empire was falling and the climax would be Nineveh. Though Nahum speaks of judgement to Assyria, it is great comfort for Judah. He proclaims that God is good and a strong hold in times of trouble. He knows whose are his and he will destroy their enemies. God hates sin but because of his mercy and patience he withholds is judgment for a season but when he decides it is time to act, nothing can stand against him.
Nineveh means “offspring of ease” which could identify so many in America. If we don’t let our children experience pain, suffering, loss, discipline, sadness, and self-control, then they will end up like the Ninevites who did whatever it took to get what they wanted. We don’t have to be poor and desolate to practice self-control. If we fall in love with Jesus, the things of the world seem less important.
Lord, thank you for trials and tribulation that makes us prioritize what is really important. You are the prize we are living for.
Nahum means “comforter” so he is a type of the Holy Spirit. He prophesies the fate of Nineveh which is Assyria’s capital. It was known for its years of conquests of other nations and for its cruel torture of its captors. It had conquered Israel and would have conquered Judah if God hadn’t miraculously saved them. The Assyrian Empire was falling and the climax would be Nineveh. Though Nahum speaks of judgement to Assyria, it is great comfort for Judah. He proclaims that God is good and a strong hold in times of trouble. He knows whose are his and he will destroy their enemies. God hates sin but because of his mercy and patience he withholds is judgment for a season but when he decides it is time to act, nothing can stand against him.
Nineveh means “offspring of ease” which could identify so many in America. If we don’t let our children experience pain, suffering, loss, discipline, sadness, and self-control, then they will end up like the Ninevites who did whatever it took to get what they wanted. We don’t have to be poor and desolate to practice self-control. If we fall in love with Jesus, the things of the world seem less important.
Lord, thank you for trials and tribulation that makes us prioritize what is really important. You are the prize we are living for.
Monday, August 3, 2015
Mon.’s Devo - The Arm of the Flesh vs. the Hand of God
Read: 2 Chronicles 32-33
When Hezekiah saw that Sennacherib was coming against Judah, he did all he could do physically to prepare for his attack. Then he told his army to be strong and courageous because Sennacherib was fighting in the flesh but God would be fighting for them. Sennacherib’s army might be a multitude but God’s army is greater. The people found peace in Hezekiah’s words. Sennacherib came to Jerusalem and besieged Lachish. “Lachish” means “walk of a man”. Sennacherib came with the arm the flesh, i.e. in his own strength. He used intimidation telling Judah’s men that even Israel’s god was not able to deliver them out of his hand. He boasted that they were stronger than God. The men of Lachish had their walk tested and they passed.
Isaiah and Hezekiah both prayed together and the angel of the Lord came and killed most of Sennacherib’s army during the night. Sennecherib left in shame and went back to Assyria.
Because of this great victory, the people elevated Hezekiah and brought him gifts. Instead of giving God the glory, he took it to himself which was his down fall. Isaiah came to tell him he was going to die and he repented so quickly that Isaiah had to turn around and tell him he would have 15 more years to live. They were prosperous years and he stored up much wealth and God blessed him. God tried him by sending the ambassadors from Babylon. He failed his test and showed off all his treasures to them. God sent Isaiah to tell him that because he did that he would lose everything. It would happen during the days of his sons. During his 15 God-given years he had a son named Manasseh. He should have spent them raising him up to be a good king but by the way Manasseh started out, I’m not too sure. Manasseh worshipped everything but God and led the nation into idolatry that was worse that the heathen’s idolatry. God used the Assyrians to discipline Manasseh. He was taken to Syria where he cried out to God in his affliction. God restored him to his kingdom and he was a different king. He cleansed the land of all the idolatry he had brought in and restored worship to God. Sadly, his son Ammon followed him in his sinful ways and never repented. He was killed by his own servants and his son, Josiah became king.
Lord, may we have leaders who will humble themselves and turn back to You. May they rid our nation of it idolatry. Raise up a leader who will follow You.
When Hezekiah saw that Sennacherib was coming against Judah, he did all he could do physically to prepare for his attack. Then he told his army to be strong and courageous because Sennacherib was fighting in the flesh but God would be fighting for them. Sennacherib’s army might be a multitude but God’s army is greater. The people found peace in Hezekiah’s words. Sennacherib came to Jerusalem and besieged Lachish. “Lachish” means “walk of a man”. Sennacherib came with the arm the flesh, i.e. in his own strength. He used intimidation telling Judah’s men that even Israel’s god was not able to deliver them out of his hand. He boasted that they were stronger than God. The men of Lachish had their walk tested and they passed.
Isaiah and Hezekiah both prayed together and the angel of the Lord came and killed most of Sennacherib’s army during the night. Sennecherib left in shame and went back to Assyria.
Because of this great victory, the people elevated Hezekiah and brought him gifts. Instead of giving God the glory, he took it to himself which was his down fall. Isaiah came to tell him he was going to die and he repented so quickly that Isaiah had to turn around and tell him he would have 15 more years to live. They were prosperous years and he stored up much wealth and God blessed him. God tried him by sending the ambassadors from Babylon. He failed his test and showed off all his treasures to them. God sent Isaiah to tell him that because he did that he would lose everything. It would happen during the days of his sons. During his 15 God-given years he had a son named Manasseh. He should have spent them raising him up to be a good king but by the way Manasseh started out, I’m not too sure. Manasseh worshipped everything but God and led the nation into idolatry that was worse that the heathen’s idolatry. God used the Assyrians to discipline Manasseh. He was taken to Syria where he cried out to God in his affliction. God restored him to his kingdom and he was a different king. He cleansed the land of all the idolatry he had brought in and restored worship to God. Sadly, his son Ammon followed him in his sinful ways and never repented. He was killed by his own servants and his son, Josiah became king.
Lord, may we have leaders who will humble themselves and turn back to You. May they rid our nation of it idolatry. Raise up a leader who will follow You.
Sunday, August 2, 2015
Sun.’s Devo - Hezekiah’s Last Days
Read: 2 Kings 20-21
Hezekiah went down as being a good king because he rid the land of idolatry. But he made his mistakes also which is evident by who came to present him with gifts when he miraculously recovered. The king of Babylon came whose name was Berodach-baladan. Berodach-baladan means “the causer of oppression”. Hezekiah showed him all of his wealth and secrets so he was doomed to lose them. When Isaiah gave him the word that he would lose everything to Babylon and his sons would be eunuchs in the palace of Babylon one day all he could say was ‘good’. He was just glad that peace and truth would be in his days. This tells me that he was only concerned with his life and not the one he would leave to his posterity.
His son Manasseh did not share his love for God. Manasseh was an evil king who lead the nation back into idolatry. His name means “causing to forget”. He caused the people to forget God and all he had done for them. He built back everything his father had destroyed. He caused the people to do more evil than the enemies they had driven out of the land. God was not pleased and promised to forsake them and turn them over to their enemies. His son, Amon became king when he died and was so hated that his own servants killed him. The people rose up and killed the servants who killed Amon and put Josiah, his son, in as the king. We’ll see tomorrow that Josiah was a good king.
Lord, we cry out to you as a nation. Forgive us of turning away from you. Hear the cry of your remnant and save us!
Hezekiah went down as being a good king because he rid the land of idolatry. But he made his mistakes also which is evident by who came to present him with gifts when he miraculously recovered. The king of Babylon came whose name was Berodach-baladan. Berodach-baladan means “the causer of oppression”. Hezekiah showed him all of his wealth and secrets so he was doomed to lose them. When Isaiah gave him the word that he would lose everything to Babylon and his sons would be eunuchs in the palace of Babylon one day all he could say was ‘good’. He was just glad that peace and truth would be in his days. This tells me that he was only concerned with his life and not the one he would leave to his posterity.
His son Manasseh did not share his love for God. Manasseh was an evil king who lead the nation back into idolatry. His name means “causing to forget”. He caused the people to forget God and all he had done for them. He built back everything his father had destroyed. He caused the people to do more evil than the enemies they had driven out of the land. God was not pleased and promised to forsake them and turn them over to their enemies. His son, Amon became king when he died and was so hated that his own servants killed him. The people rose up and killed the servants who killed Amon and put Josiah, his son, in as the king. We’ll see tomorrow that Josiah was a good king.
Lord, we cry out to you as a nation. Forgive us of turning away from you. Hear the cry of your remnant and save us!
Saturday, August 1, 2015
Sat.’s Devo - The Final Words of Isaiah
Read: Isaiah 64-66
Isaiah 64 is our prayer today, that God would rend the heavens and come back. Jesus is coming back for a people who love his returning, not those that love this life. We all have future plans on earth, but nothing on this earth is worth having compared to what God has prepared for us after he comes. When the church recognizes her sin compared to the holiness of God, we will see true repentance. I know I need a revelation of God’s holiness in my own life.
Isaiah 65 is talking about the rejection of the Jews and the coming in of the Gentiles. In the end, Israel will come back to the Lord and accept his son, Jesus as their Messiah. God will create new heavens and a new earth and we will not remember the sorrow of this earth. Death will be defeated and man will enjoy the fruit of his labor with no fear of harm. God will answer us before we can ask and peace will reign over the new earth.
Isaiah 66 speaks of a judgment to the wicked and a reward
to God’s righteous. I truly believe that we can live beyond our time. If we are saved, we are living in the New Testament, the new covenant. If we can see it, we can live in the millennium and experience the promises of it right now. Many of the prophets did just this. David saw God as his father and Solomon saw him as his lover. They lived far beyond their time. We can too. Few will see this, but a remnant will catch it and see the glory of God in this life. I want to be that person.
Lord, expand our vision and our faith to live all the promises of your Word.
Isaiah 64 is our prayer today, that God would rend the heavens and come back. Jesus is coming back for a people who love his returning, not those that love this life. We all have future plans on earth, but nothing on this earth is worth having compared to what God has prepared for us after he comes. When the church recognizes her sin compared to the holiness of God, we will see true repentance. I know I need a revelation of God’s holiness in my own life.
Isaiah 65 is talking about the rejection of the Jews and the coming in of the Gentiles. In the end, Israel will come back to the Lord and accept his son, Jesus as their Messiah. God will create new heavens and a new earth and we will not remember the sorrow of this earth. Death will be defeated and man will enjoy the fruit of his labor with no fear of harm. God will answer us before we can ask and peace will reign over the new earth.
Isaiah 66 speaks of a judgment to the wicked and a reward
to God’s righteous. I truly believe that we can live beyond our time. If we are saved, we are living in the New Testament, the new covenant. If we can see it, we can live in the millennium and experience the promises of it right now. Many of the prophets did just this. David saw God as his father and Solomon saw him as his lover. They lived far beyond their time. We can too. Few will see this, but a remnant will catch it and see the glory of God in this life. I want to be that person.
Lord, expand our vision and our faith to live all the promises of your Word.
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